Hi, tanuki chan here... Okay so… I have to confess something. Yesterday I didn't post a chapter because… I started playing Fortnite with some friends and I kinda got way too into it 😭🔥 Like?? It was actually super fun and I totally lost track of time.
I KNOW I KNOW I'M SORRY 😭💔 I promise I'm working on the next chapter and it'll be worth the wait!! Thanks for being patient with my chaos lol
....
The afternoon had passed slowly, as if time itself were reluctant to let the night arrive. Saval had spent part of the day helping Semiel in the kitchen, chopping vegetables and peeling potatoes with little conversation between them. The silence, however, wasn't uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence that forms between people who understand each other without speaking. And for Saval, that was enough.
When the clock struck six, Semiel stretched and went to change. Saval had already packed a blanket into his backpack, along with a bottle of water, some snacks, and a flashlight. The air was starting to cool down, and as they walked north—toward where Mía had said the bonfire would be—they fell into silence again.
The beach looked different from how it had that morning. The sky was a mix of deep blue and fading oranges, and the breeze carried the scent of salt, smoke, and wood. As they got closer, they saw a small group gathered around a fire that was already lit. The flames danced to a calm rhythm, accompanied by soft music coming from a small speaker hooked up to a phone.
Mía saw them arrive and waved enthusiastically.
—Hey! I thought you weren't coming.
—I said I'd think about it —Saval replied with a small smile.
—And he brought reinforcements —said George, shaking Semiel's hand with a wide grin.
—I'm Semiel. Thanks for inviting him —he said, glancing sideways at Saval with an expression that was half pride.
They sat down on some blankets near the fire. There were about eight people in total, all in their twenties, with relaxed faces and laughter that flowed easily. Saval allowed himself to watch without feeling pressured. He listened to stories, laughter, absurd travel anecdotes, and slowly, his body stopped feeling tense.
At one point, Mía sat next to him with a beer in hand. She offered him one.
—You don't have to drink if you don't want to, but it helps —she said, taking a sip.
Saval took it and had a small drink.
—Thanks for inviting me. It's been… unexpectedly nice.
—You don't sound very convinced —she said, raising an eyebrow.
—I'm just surprised. I don't usually come to things like this.
She nodded slowly.
—You've got the face of someone who's been through something heavy.
—Is it that obvious?
—You don't have to tell me. I'm just saying, sometimes sitting close to the fire helps you feel a little less alone. Even if it's just for a while.
He looked at her. There was something honest in her words. Something that wasn't pity or an attempt to pry. Just presence.
—Someone important left recently —he said finally, without looking at anyone in particular.
Mía didn't respond. She just took another sip and then gently tapped his leg with the back of her hand.
—Then let's toast to the ones who stay. How about that?
Saval raised his bottle. Mía clinked hers softly against it.
—To the ones who stay.
The fire crackled. Someone pulled out a guitar. Semiel was talking with George, both laughing at some old university story. Saval leaned back, lying on the sand, looking up at the starry sky.
He thought about Antonella, but not with the bitter weight that had followed him in recent days. He thought about Santiago, but like someone watching a distant memory. Maybe things weren't all right yet, but for the first time in a long while, he felt like they could be.
He closed his eyes. Smiled, just a little.
To the ones who stay. And to everything that comes after.